Dana Simmons
Murfreesboro,TN
Summary
Dedicated professional seeking to become a valuable asset within a dynamic organization that promotes personal and professional development. Eager to leverage skills and experiences to contribute meaningfully while embracing opportunities for continuous learning and advancement. Committed to driving results and collaborating effectively with team members to achieve shared goals. Passionate about making a positive impact in the workplace through innovation and teamwork.
Overview
24
24
years of professional experience
Work History
Buyer
Kirkland’s
01.2025 - 06.2025
- Decorative Accessories Buyer to include decorative trays, baskets and bins, candleholders, lanterns, figurines, vases, bowls, and desk accessories.
- Partner with DMM and Planning and Allocation on the following processes: assortment planning, OTB, in season strategies and allocations to maximize inventory performance
- Develop profitable merchandise assortments by category to optimize sales and financial targets for 309 stores.
- Perform regular market analysis, competitive shop and analyze historical sales trends to keep abreast of current trends.
- Work with assistant buyers to manage purchase orders include sku creations, PO creation, maintenance, and track delivery information.
- Was able to negotiate tariff support from my overseas vendors to ensure the impact of the additional tariffs was minimal
- Worked with Sourcing Team to move heavily tariffed best sellers and new product to countries with lower tariff impact
Buyer
Gabriel Brother’s (Gabe’s)
03.2024 - 12.2024
- After Old Time Pottery was acquired by Gabe’s, I was able to transition as a buyer for both chains as OTP stores were converted to Gabe’s stores.
- Buying responsibilities included everyday and seasonal bath towels collections, bed pillows, utility bedding, soft and hard window decor and seasonal decorative pillows for a combined 170 stores.
- Worked closely over Teams with the NY buying office daily in order to train in the off price business model
- Traveled monthly to NYC to meet with vendors to execute off price buys and negotiate pricing on future programs.
- Partner with DMM, Planning and Allocation on the following processes: assortment planning, OTB, in season strategies and allocations to maximize inventory performance.
Buyer
Old Time Pottery (OTP)
09.2019 - 03.2024
- Buying responsibilities included planters, plant stands, garden accessories, floral supplies, bedding, blankets & throws, sheets, bed pillows, everyday and seasonal decorative accent pillows and most recently area rugs, decorative scatters and doormats.
- Develop profitable merchandise assortments by category to optimize sales and financial targets for 40 stores.
- Perform regular market analysis, competitive shop and analyze historical sales trends to keep abreast of current trends.
- Partner with DMM, Planning and Allocation on the following processes: assortment planning, OTB, in season strategies and allocations to maximize inventory performance.
- Establish and maintain profitable vendor relationships as well as attend domestic and foreign buying trips.
- Work with assistant buyers to manage purchase orders include sku creations, PO creation, maintenance, and track delivery information.
Inventory Analyst
Old Time Pottery
01.2018 - 09.2019
- Analyzed sales and stock levels to ensure that reorder recommendations made by the replenishment system reflect the sales trend, presentation standards and turnover goals
- Execute the replenishment and inventory strategy to support assortment and merchandise plans while achieving service level targets including the management of the inventory levels for specific categories through analysis of trends, exceptions, rate of sale, minimum order quantities and minimum presentation quantities
- Evaluation and planning of all forecasts and profiles based on demand history, statistical analysis, and current trends, which facilitate replenishment of product to the stores
- Allocated all seasonal and everyday purchase orders to ensure all product was in the “right stores at the right time”
Inventory Analyst
Tractor Supply Company
09.2015 - 01.2018
- Execute the replenishment and inventory strategy to support assortment and merchandise plans while achieving service level targets including the management of the inventory levels for specific categories through analysis of trends, exceptions, rate of sale, minimum order quantities and minimum presentation quantities
- Initiate and communicate replenishment recommendations in respect to inventory and trends to Buying and Logistics personnel.
Store Manager
Harbor Freight Tools
06.2013 - 09.2015
- Manage a staff of 20 employees including 2 Assistant Managers and 2 Supervisors
- Responsible for implementing and maintaining all company policies and procedures
- Increased profits through effective sales training -2 year growth from 2.3 million to 3.5 million
Store Manager
Dick’s Sporting Goods
10.2009 - 06.2013
- Managed staff of 40 sales associates, 6 team leaders and 3 assistant managers
- Trained and developed associates on POS system as well as key sales tactics
- Generated repeat business through exceptional customer service
- Increased the store volume during my tenure from 10 million to 14.2 million per year
Store Manager
Dick’s Sporting Goods
06.2008 - 10.2009
- Managed staff of 30 sales associates, 6 team leaders and 2 assistant managers
- Instructed staff on appropriately handling difficult and complicated sales
- Completed profit and loss performance reports
- Increase profits through effective training and troubleshooting profit loss areas
Softlines Manager
Dick’s Sporting Goods
10.2001 - 06.2008
- Responsible for all processing, merchandise exposure standards, and merchandising of the clothing and footwear departments
- Completed profit and loss performance reports
- Increase profits through effective training and troubleshooting profit loss areas
Education
Bachelor Degree - Marketing, Minor-Computer Science
University of Alabama
01.2001
Skills
- Purchase order management
- Multi-tasking strength
- Relationship building
- Materials sourcing
- Inventory monitoring
- Demand forecasting
- Purchasing expertise
- Strategic sourcing
Timeline
Buyer
Kirkland’s
01.2025 - 06.2025
Buyer
Gabriel Brother’s (Gabe’s)
03.2024 - 12.2024
Buyer
Old Time Pottery (OTP)
09.2019 - 03.2024
Inventory Analyst
Old Time Pottery
01.2018 - 09.2019
Inventory Analyst
Tractor Supply Company
09.2015 - 01.2018
Store Manager
Harbor Freight Tools
06.2013 - 09.2015
Store Manager
Dick’s Sporting Goods
10.2009 - 06.2013
Store Manager
Dick’s Sporting Goods
06.2008 - 10.2009
Softlines Manager
Dick’s Sporting Goods
10.2001 - 06.2008
Bachelor Degree - Marketing, Minor-Computer Science
University of Alabama
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